DAY THIRTY-SIX : Job 35 v. 1 – 37 v. 24; Matthew 24 v. 1 – 31; Proverbs 4 v. 1 – 9
JOB
Elihu continues to speak of the sovereignty of God. In ch. 35, claiming God is too far removed, remote and unaffected by either our wickedness or righteousness. He simply makes His judgements, and we have no recourse – who do we think we are, imagining God might be interested in how we feel about things?
Elihu belittles Job’s understanding, but makes outrageous comments about his own :
“Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you.” Oooooh !
In ch. 36 and 37, Elihu catalogues the might of God in creation, and in His power and judgement. Lots of thunder and lightening, wind and storm revealing God’s might, as He commands them, and uses them for our discipline. In the presence of such awesome power, who are we to challenge God?
At last, tomorrow, we shall begin to hear from God in all this – after all this talk of who He is and how He acts.
MATTHEW – Jesus talks with His disciples today about the signs of the end of the age : the temple will be destroyed, false christs will promote themselves, nations will wage war against other nations, famines, diseases and earthquakes will increase, the ‘beginnings of birth pains’, persecution will increase (‘many will be offended’), false prophets will appear, – signs that the Jesus’s return is coming soon, and we should “endure to the end”, standing strong and holding fast to the gospel of the kingdom.
The ‘abomination of desolation’ is a phrase used in the book of Daniel (Dan 11 v. 31; 12 v. 11) which may have referred to a heathen altar set up in the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168BC, but clearly here Matthew expects his readers to understand when it happens again (words in brackets in v.15). It was certainly understood by some to refer to the Roman army’s invasion in AD 70.
The coming of the Son of Man at the end of time will accompanied by obvious signs – as obvious as lightening in the sky.
A GARLAND OF GRACE…A CROWN OF SPLENDOUR
PROVERBS – I loved these words, like a lightening flash, illuminating the darkness :
‘I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching’ – unlike Elihu’s grand claims about his knowledge !
‘Get wisdom, get understanding, do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will waktch over you.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding’ – like Jesus’s parable of the pearl of great price.
There’s the promise of a garland of grace, and a crown of splendour for those who honour and esteem wisdom.
My re-created thoughts :
A lightening strike reveals Your power
A thunder clap Your might
Your wisdom guides me through my days
Protects me through the night.
I look for You, You’re coming soon
The signs point to an end time
Until that day, firm I remain,
‘I am Yours and You are mine’
AMEN.
revphil2011 